Alstom to modernize power plant at Norske Skog's Skogn newsprint mill in Norway

CEDEX, France, May 13, 2011 (Press Release) - Alstom Norway will modernize the power plant at Norske Skog's largest newsprint paper mill Skogn...The scope includes a new control and safety system, gear wheel repair work, upgrade work and a major overhaul of the steam turbine. The project will be managed by the Alstom service organization in Oslo, with support by Alstom in Switzerland.

The modernized and upgraded power plant will enable Skogn to produce up to 40 - 55 GWh electricity per year, which will lead to significant cost reductions at the mill. The turbine has not been in operation since 2008, due to problems with the existing safety and control system. After modernization the unit will be able to operate at full load and the turbine set will be more reliable, with improved availability and performance.

Norske Skog Skogn is one of the largest newsprint mills in Europe. Serving demanding customers worldwide, the mill has its own port facilities, and operates a twice-a-week regular line to UK and Continental Europe. Paper production requires a lot of energy; and last year Skogn utilised 1.45 TWh electrical energy. The fuel for their two furnaces and boilers are wooden chips, demolition wood and sewage sludge. This is basically for their core processes. Excess steam from the plant will after the modernization be routed to the turbine for energy production. The option has been to neutralize this energy. The power they will produce now will replace the power previously bought at the open market.

"I am very pleased that Norske Skog Skogn has chosen Alstom as their partner in this extensive work. Our prior work at Skogn has been successful, and this new order is a confirmation of that, as well as a great acknowledgement of our local and global capabilities", says Eric Staurset, Country President, Alstom Norway.